Tomato plants that exhibit resistance to Botrytis cinerea

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to tomato plants that exhibit resistance to  Botrytis cinerea  and methods for developing new inbreds, hybrid, apomictic and genetically engineered tomato plants that possess resistance to  Botrytis cinerea  and having commercially desirable characteristics.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/278,360, filed Oct. 23, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,799,976, issuedSep. 21, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/131,156, filed Apr. 24, 2002, now Abandoned,which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/286,296,filed Apr. 25, 2001, each of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to plant breeding and molecular biology.More specifically, the present invention relates to tomato plants thatexhibit resistance to Botrytis cinerea and methods for developing newinbred, hybrid, apomictic and genetically engineered tomato plants thatpossess resistance to Botrytis cinerea and have commercially desirablecharacteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The plant disease gray mold (“Botrytis”), is caused by the fungusBotrytis cinerea. This disease is commonly found on the stem, leaves andfruit of tomatoes. While Botrytis can be found in both greenhouse andfield grown tomatoes, it is a more prevalent problem with greenhousegrown tomatoes. Moisture is of prime importance for Botrytis infection.The air must have a relative humidity of above 90% for germination ofthe pathogen (See, Sherf, A. F., et al., Vegetable Diseases and TheirControl, John Wiley & Sons (1986), pgs. 645-647). Those areas in whichfogs and heavy dews persist are more ideal for the development of thepathogen than areas where heavy rains are common. Id. The optimumtemperature for growth of Botrytis is between 68° F. and 76° F.Normally, infection is rare above 77° F., although stored infected fruitcan rot at temperatures as low as 32° F.

The older, senescent tissues of a tomato plant are usually moresusceptible to attack by Botrytis than the younger tissues. Typically,the disease is associated with mature plants that have a dense canopy.Leaf lesions develop as light brown or gray, circular spots and may growto cover the whole leaflet (See, Disease and Pests of Vegetable Crops inCanada, An Illustrated Compendium, Edited by Howard, R., et al., TheCanadian Phytopathological Society, Entomological Society of Canada(1994)). Affected leaves become covered with conidiophores and conidia,and subsequently collapse and wither. Id. The fungus will grow fromdiseased leaves into the stem and produce dry, light brown lesions a fewmillimeters to several centimeters in length. Id. Lesions also form atdeleafing scars on the stem. Id. The stem lesions may also be coveredwith a gray mold. Id. In severe cases, infection girdles the stem andkills the plant.

On green tomato fruit, a “ghost spot” typically appears and is the mostcommon symptom of Botrytis. This “ghost spot” is typically tiny brown,often raised, necrotic spot that is surrounded by a pale halo. Id.Typically, once the fruit reaches a certain size, specifically, about2.5 cm in diameter, the surface becomes smooth and shiny and tends toresist infection. Id. However, it is notable that the fruit can alsobecome infected through flower parts stuck to the surface, particularlyat the calyx end, which results in an irregular, brown lesion in thearea of the flowering parts.

Unfortunately, the hereinbefore described “ghost spotting” can alsooccur on ripe fruit. Additionally, mature fruit can also be affected bya rot that starts at the calyx end. Id. Fruit can become water-soakedand soft at the point of infection. Id. The spots are irregular, up toabout 3 cm in diameter and light brown to gray. Id. Rotting fruit willeventually fall from the plant.

In addition to tomato, Botrytis also affects a wide range of othervegetable crops such as asparagus and lettuce. The disease can bepresent on perennial plants in any geographical area and sporulationoccurs when conditions become optimal (See, Compendium of TomatoDiseases, edited by Jones, et al.; APS Press (1991)). Conidia are easilywindborn and can be blown from field to field. Id. Moreover, thepathogen can survive from season to season in the form of sclerotia,which develops on the woody tissues of tomato plants. Id. Also, Botrytisis a very efficient saprophyte, and organic matter in the soil canharbor it. Id. The fungus grows from the sclerotia or organic matter inthe soil and can infect leaves lying on the ground. Id.

In order to discourage the development of Botrytis in greenhouse growntomatoes, the temperature and relative humidity of the greenhouse shouldbe closely regulated. Typically, temperatures higher than 70° F. and ahumidity lower than 90% discourage Botrytis development. Additionally,at all times, some ventilation or forced air should be employed in thegreenhouse as well. The use of drip irrigation or surface water isimportant to keep the leaves dry and to discourage the development ofthe pathogen.

For field grown plants, good drainage and weed control should beemployed in order to minimize the amount of time that the plants arewet. Moreover, the nutrient levels of the plants should be kept high. Ithas been found that field grown tomatoes seem to have less infection andloss where nutrient levels, especially nitrogen, are kept high (See,Sherf, A. F., et al., Vegetable Diseases and Their Control, John Wiley &Sons (1986), pgs. 645-647).

Fungicides can also be used to control Botrytis in both greenhouse andfield grown tomatoes. Examples of some fungicides that can be usedinclude chlorothalonil (Exotherm Termil), that can be applied weekly andDowicide A or DCNA (Botyan), either of which can be applied to tomatofruit post-harvest.

Presently, there are no commercially available tomato varieties thatexhibit resistance to infection by Botrytis. Thereupon, there ispresently a need in the art for new tomato varieties that possessresistance to Botrytis and which further exhibit desirable commercialcharacteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method ofproducing a Botrytis resistant tomato plant. The method involves atleast the following steps: (a) identifying a Botrytis resistant donorplant selected from the group consisting of Lycopersicon esculentum,Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersiconcheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii,Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum,Lycopersicon chilense and Solanum lycopersicoides; (b) crossing theBotrytis resistant donor plant with a recipient tomato plant that isnon-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance to Botrytis andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics; (c) planting seed fromthe cross in step b and growing said seed into plants; (d) selfing theplants of step c; (e) planting seed obtained from the selfing in step dand growing into plants; (f) isolating genetic material from the plantsin step e and performing marker assisted selection with one or moremolecular markers from chromosome 10 associated with at least one regionon chromosome 10 that is linked to at least one gene that encodes forBotrytis resistance; and (g) identifying those plants that contain DNAintrogressed from the donor plant, where said introgressed DNA containsregions from chromosome 10 linked to at least one gene that encode forBotrytis resistance. Preferably, the recipient tomato plant used in saidmethod is Lycopersicon esculentum.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method ofproducing a Botrytis resistant tomato plant pursuant to theabove-described method.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method ofproducing a Botrytis resistant inbred tomato plant. The method involvesat least the following steps: (a) identifying a Botrytis resistant donorplant selected from the group consisting of Lycopersicon esculentum,Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersiconcheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii,Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum,Lycopersicon chilense and Solanum lycopersicoides; (b) crossing theBotrytis resistant donor plant with a recipient tomato plant that isnon-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance to Botrytis andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics; (c) planting the seedobtained from the cross in step b and growing into plants; (d) selfingthe plants obtained in step c; (e) planting seed obtained from the crossin step d and growing into plants; (f) isolating genetic material fromthe plants of step e and performing marker assisted selection with oneor more molecular markers from chromosome 10 associated with at leastone region on chromosome 10 that is linked to at least one gene thatencodes for Botrytis resistance; (g) identifying those plants containingDNA introgressed from said donor plant, wherein said introgressed DNAcontains regions from chromosome 10, linked to at least one gene thatencode for Botrytis resistance; (h) selfing the plants identified instep g; (i) planting seed obtained from the selfing in step h andgrowing into plants; (j) identifying plants from step i that exhibitBotrytis resistance and possess commercially desirable characteristics;and (k) repeating steps h-j until an inbred tomato plant is producedwhich exhibits Botrytis resistance and possesses commercially desirablecharacteristics.

In yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a secondmethod of producing a Botrytis resistant inbred tomato plant. The methodinvolves the steps of: (a) identifying a Botrytis resistant donor plantselected from the group consisting of Lycopersicon esculentum,Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersiconcheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii,Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum,Lycopersicon chilense and Solanum lycopersicoides; (b) crossing theBotrytis resistant donor plant with a recipient tomato plant that isnon-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance to Botrytis andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics; (c) planting the seedobtained from the cross in step b and growing into plants; (d) crossingthe plants obtained in step c with the recipient tomato plant of step b;(e) planting seed obtained from the crossing in step d and growing intoplants; (f) isolating genetic material from the plants of step e andperforming marker assisted selection with one or more molecular markersfrom chromosome 10 associated with at least one region on chromosome 10that is linked to at least one gene that encodes for Botrytisresistance; (g) identifying those plants containing DNA introgressedfrom said donor plant, wherein said introgressed DNA contains regionsfrom chromosome 10 linked to at least one gene that encode for Botrytisresistance; (h) crossing the plants identified in step g with therecipient tomato plant of step b; (i) planting seed obtained from thecross in step h and growing into plants; (j) identifying plants fromstep i that exhibit Botrytis resistance and possess commericallydesirable characteristics; and (k) repeating steps h-j until an inbredtomato plant is produced which exhibits Botrytis resistance andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a Botrytisresistant inbred tomato plant produced by either one of theabove-described methods.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a hybridtomato plant that exhibits resistance to Botrytis. Such a hybrid tomatoplant can be produced by crossing an inbred tomato plant produced by oneof the above-described methods with an inbred tomato plant that exhibitscommercially desirable characteristics.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method ofproducing a Botrytis resistant tomato plant. The method involves atleast the following steps: (a) identifying a Botrytis resistant donorplant selected from the group consisting of Lycopersicon esculentum,Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersiconcheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii,Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum,Lycopersicon chilense and Solanum lycopersicoides; (b) crossing theBotrytis resistant donor plant with a recipient tomato plant that isnon-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance to Botrytis andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics; (c) planting seed fromthe cross in step b and growing said seed into plants; (d) selfing theplants of step c; (e) planting seed obtained from the selfing in step dand growing into plants; (f) identifying those plants that are resistantto Botrytis using a pathology screen. Preferably, the recipient tomatoplant used in said method is Lycopersicon esculentum and the donor plantcontains one or more regions on chromosome 10 linked to at least onegene that encodes for Botrytis resistance.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method ofproducing a Botrytis resistant tomato plant. The method involves atleast the following steps: (a) identifying a Botrytis resistant donorplant selected from the group consisting of Lycopersicon esculentum,Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersiconcheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii,Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum,Lycopersicon chilense and Solanum lycopersicoides; (b) crossing theBotrytis resistant donor plant with a recipient tomato plant that isnon-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance to Botrytis andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics; (c) planting seed fromthe cross in step b and growing said seed into plants; (d) selfing theplants of step c; (e) planting seed obtained from the selfing in step dand growing into plants; (f) inoculating the plants or part of theplants (such as leaves (detached or attached), stems, etc.) grown instep e with Botrytis; and (g) identifying those plants inoculated instep f that are resistant to Botrytis. Preferably, the recipient tomatoplant used in said method is Lyopersicon esculentum and the donor plantcontains one or more regions on chromosome 10 linked to at least onegene that encodes for Botrytis resistance.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method ofproducing a Botrytis resistant tomato plant pursuant to theabove-described methods.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method ofproducing a Botrytis resistant inbred tomato plant. The method involvesat least the following steps: (a) identifying a Botrytis resistant donorplant selected from the group consisting of Lycopersicon esculentum,Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersiconcheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii,Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum,Lycopersicon chilense and Solanum lycopersicoides; (b) crossing theBotrytis resistant donor plant with a recipient tomato plant that isnon-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance to Botrytis andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics; (c) planting the seedobtained from the cross in step b and growing into plants; (d) selfingthe plants obtained in step c; (e) planting seed obtained from the crossin step d and growing into plants; (f) identifying those plants that areresistant to Botrytis using a pathology screen; (g) selfing the plantsidentified in step f; (h) planting seed obtained from the selfing instep i and growing into plants; (i) identifying plants from step h thatexhibit Botrytis resistance and possess commercially desirablecharacteristics; and (j) repeating steps h-i until an inbred tomatoplant is produced which exhibits Botrytis resistance and possessescommercially desirable characteristics.

In yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a secondmethod of producing a Botrytis resistant inbred tomato plant. The methodinvolves the steps of: (a) identifying a Botrytis resistant donor plantselected from the group consisting of Lycopersicon esculentum,Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersiconcheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii,Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum,Lycopersicon chilense and Solanum lycopersicoides; (b) crossing theBotrytis resistant donor plant with a recipient tomato plant that isnon-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance to Botrytis andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics; (c) planting the seedobtained from the cross in step b and growing into plants; (d) crossingthe plants obtained in step c with the recipient tomato plant of step b;(e) planting seed obtained from the crossing in step d and growing intoplants; (f) identifying those plants that are resistant to Botrytisusing a pathology screen; (g) crossing the plants identified in step fwith the recipient tomato plant of step b; (h) planting seed obtainedfrom the cross in step g and growing into plants; (i) identifying plantsfrom step h that exhibit Botrytis resistance and possess commericallydesirable characteristics; and (j) repeating steps g-i until an inbredtomato plant is produced which exhibits Botrytis resistance andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics.

In yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a thirdmethod of producing a Botrytis resistant inbred tomato plant. The methodinvolves at least the following steps: (a) identifying a Botrytisresistant donor plant selected from the group consisting of Lycopersiconesculentum, Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium,Lycopersicon cheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersiconchmielewskii, Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon pennellii,Lycopersicon peruvianum, Lycopersicon chilense and Solanumlycopersicoides; (b) crossing the Botrytis resistant donor plant with arecipient tomato plant that is non-resistant or has an intermediatelevel of resistance to Botrytis and possesses commercially desirablecharacteristics; (c) planting the seed obtained from the cross in step band growing into plants; (d) selfing the plants obtained in step c; (e)planting seed obtained from the cross in step d and growing into plants;(f) inoculating the plants or parts of the plants grown in step e withBotrytis; (g) identifying those plants inoculated in step f that areresistant to Botrytis; (h) selfing the plants identified in step g; (i)planting seed obtained from the selfing in step h and growing intoplants; (j) identifying plants from step i that exhibit Botrytisresistance and possess commercially desirable characteristics; and (k)repeating steps h-j until an inbred tomato plant is produced whichexhibits Botrytis resistance and possesses commercially desirablecharacteristics.

In yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a fourthmethod of producing a Botrytis resistant inbred tomato plant. The methodinvolves the steps of: (a) identifying a Botrytis resistant donor plantselected from the group consisting of Lycopersicon esculentum,Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersiconcheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii,Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum,Lycopersicon chilense and Solanum lycopersicoides; (b) crossing theBotrytis resistant donor plant with a recipient tomato plant that isnon-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance to Botrytis andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics; (c) planting the seedobtained from the cross in step b and growing into plants; (d) crossingthe plants obtained in step c with the recipient tomato plant of step b;(e) planting seed obtained from the crossing in step d and growing intoplants; (f) inoculating the plants or parts of the plants grown in stepe with Botrytis; (g) identifying those plants inoculated in step f thatare resistant to Botrytis; (h) crossing the plants identified in step gwith the recipient tomato plant of step b; (i) planting seed obtainedfrom the cross in step h and growing into plants; (j) identifying plantsfrom step i that exhibit Botrytis resistance and possess commerciallydesirable characteristics; and (k) repeating steps h-j until an inbredtomato plant is produced which exhibits Botrytis resistance andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics.

The method involves at least the following steps: (a) identifying aBotrytis resistant donor plant selected from the group consisting ofLycopersicon esculentum, Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersiconpimpinellifolium, Lycopersicon cheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum,Lycopersicon chmielewskii, Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersiconpennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum, Lycopersicon chilense and Solanumlycopersicoides; (b) crossing the Botrytis resistant donor plant with arecipient tomato plant that is non-resistant or has an intermediatelevel of resistance to Botrytis and possesses commercially desirablecharacteristics; (c) planting the seed obtained from the cross in step band growing into plants; (d) selfing the plants obtained in step c; (e)planting seed obtained from the cross in step d and growing into plants;(f) inoculating the plants or parts of the plants grown in step e withBotrytis; (g) identifying those plants inoculated in step f that areresistant to Botrytis; (h) selfing the plants identified in step g; (i)planting seed obtained from the selfing in step h and growing intoplants; (j) identifying plants from step i that exhibit Botrytisresistance and possess commercially desirable characteristics; and (k)repeating steps h-j until an inbred tomato plant is produced whichexhibits Botrytis resistance and possesses commercially desirablecharacteristics.

In yet a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a fourthmethod of producing a Botrytis resistant inbred tomato plant. The methodinvolves the steps of: (a) identifying a Botrytis resistant donor plantselected from the group consisting of Lycopersicon esculentum,Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersiconcheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii,Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum,Lycopersicon chilense and Solanum lycopersicoides; (b) crossing theBotrytis resistant donor plant with a recipient tomato plant that isnon-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance to Botrytis andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics; (c) planting the seedobtained from the cross in step b and growing into plants; (d) crossingthe plants obtained in step c with the recipient tomato plant of step b;(e) planting seed obtained from the crossing in step d and growing intoplants; (f) inoculating the plants or parts of the plants grown in stepe with Botrytis; (g) identifying those plants inoculated in step f thatare resistant to Botrytis; (h) crossing the plants identified in step gwith the recipient tomato plant of step b; (i) planting seed obtainedfrom the cross in step h and growing into plants; (j) identifying plantsfrom step i that exhibit Botrytis resistance and possess commerciallydesirable characteristics; and (k) repeating steps h-j until an inbredtomato plant is produced which exhibits Botrytis resistance andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a Botrytisresistant inbred tomato plant produced by either one of theabove-described methods.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a hybridtomato plant that exhibits resistance to Botrytis. Such a hybrid tomatoplant can be produced by crossing an inbred tomato plant produced by oneof the above-described methods with an inbred tomato plant that exhibitscommercially desirable characteristics.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a Botrytisresistant tomato plant that contains within its genome at least one genefrom chromosome 10 associated with Botrytis resistance. Such a Botrytisresistant tomato plant is selected from the group consisting of:Lycopersicon esculentum, Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersiconpimpinellifolium, Lycopersicon cheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum,Lycopersicon chmielewskii, Lycopersicon hirsutum, Lycopersiconpennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum, Lycopersicon chilense and Solanumlycopersicoides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a molecular marker map of chromosome 10 in tomato depictingintrogression fragment from L. hirsutum LA1777 in line TA 1551 as shownin Monforte and Tanksley in Genome, 43:803-813 (2000).

FIG. 2 is a molecular marker map of chromosome 10 showing introgressionfragments from L. hirsutum LA1777 in lines TA1551 and TA1549.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

The headings provided herein are not limitations of the various aspectsor embodiments of the invention that can be had by reference to thespecification as a whole. Accordingly, the terms defined immediatelybelow are more fully defined by reference to the specification as awhole.

As used herein, the term “allele(s)” means any of one or morealternative forms of a gene, all of which alleles relate to one trait orcharacteristic. In a diploid cell or organism, the two alleles of agiven gene occupy corresponding loci on a pair of homologouschromosomes.

As used herein, the term “Botrytis” means Botrytis cinerea, also knownas gray mold or gray spot, a disease commonly found on the stem, leaves,flowers and fruit of tomatoes.

As used herein, the term “heterozygous” means a genetic conditionexisting when different alleles reside at corresponding loci onhomologous chromosomes.

As used herein, the term “homozygous” means a genetic condition existingwhen identical alleles reside at corresponding loci on homologouschromosomes.

As used herein, the term “hybrid” means any offspring of a cross betweentwo genetically unlike individuals (Rieger, R., A Michaelis and M. M.Green, 1968, A Glossary of Genetics and Cytogenetics, Springer-Verlag,N.Y.).

As used herein, the term “inbred” means a substantially homozygousindividual or variety.

As used herein, the term “introgressed” means the entry or introductionof a gene from one plant into another. As used herein, the term“introgressing” means entering or introducing a gene from one plant intoanother.

As used herein, the term “molecular marker” means a restriction fragmentlength polymorphism, (RFLP), amplified fragment length polymorphism(AFLP), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), microsatellite, a sequencecharacterized amplified repeats (SCAR) or an isozyme marker orcombinations of the markers described herein which defines a specificgenetic and chromosomal location.

As used herein, the term “plant” includes plant cells, plantprotoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which tomato plants can beregenerated, plant calli, plant cell clumps, and plant cells that areintact in plants, or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules,flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, root tips and the like.

As used herein, the term “population” means a genetically heterogeneouscollection of plants sharing a common genetic derivation.

As used herein, the term “Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism” or“RFLP” means a variation between individuals in DNA fragment sizes cutby specific restriction enzymes. Polymorphic sequences that result inRFLPs are used as markers on both physical maps and genetic linkagemaps.

As used herein, the term “tomato” means any variety, cultivar, orpopulation of Lycopersicon esculentum, Lycopersicon cerasiforme,Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersicon cheesmanii, Lycopersiconparviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii, Lycopersicon hirsutum,Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum, Lycopersicon chilenseand Solanum lycopersicoides.

As used herein, the term “variety” or “cultivar” means a group ofsimilar plants that by structural features and performance can beidentified from other varieties within the same species.

Description of the Invention

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to novel Botrytisresistant tomato plants and tomato lines, and improved methods forproducing them utilizing the molecular markers and genes describedherein in selective breeding techniques. More specifically, theinventors of the present invention have identified certain novelBotrytis resistant tomato plants. These tomato plants contain one ormore genes that encode for Botrytis resistance. Tomato plants that donot contain these genes are susceptible to infection by Botrytis.Preferably, one or more of the genes that encode for Botrytis resistanceis located on chromosome 10.

Molecular markers located on chromosome 10 that represent one or moreregions on chromosome 10 linked to at least one gene that encodes forBotrytis resistance can be identified using marker-assisted selection,the techniques for which are well known in the art. An example of somemarkers on chromosome 10 believed to be linked to one or more regions onchromosome 10 that are linked to at least one or more genes that encodefor Botrytis resistance include at least one of, but are not limited to,TG408, CT20, CT57, and TG241 (see FIG. 2).

One source of a Botrytis resistant tomato plant that contains thehereinbefore described genes on chromosome 10 is Lycopersicon hirsutumaccession LA1777. Accession LA1777 is a wild species of tomato thatoriginated in Peru and is publicly available from the C.M. Rick TomatoGenetics Resource Center, Department of Vegetable Crops, University ofCalifornia, One Shields Avenue, Davis, Calif. 95616. Other relatedtomato plants that exhibit resistance to Botrytis and contain one ormore genes that encode for Botrytis resistance can now be utilized asthe present invention now allows for this material to be identified.More specifically, it is known in the art that the same resistance genecan be present in more than one species, and in fact, more than oneGenus (See, Klinger, J., et al., J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 126(1):56-63(2001), where the same resistance gene, Vat, which confers resistance toa cotton-melon aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) was discovered in twosources of melon germplasm, Indian accession PI371795 and Koreanaccession PI 161375; and Grube, R., et al., Genetics, 155:873-887(2000), where pepper homologues of the cloned R genes Sw-5, N, Pto, Prf,and I2 were found in syntenous positions in other solanaceous genomesand in some cases also mapped to additional positions nearphenotypically defined solanaceous R. genes.) Thereupon, otheraccessions of related tomato species can be examined for Botrytisresistance include, but are not limited to, Lycopersicon esculentum,Lycopersicon cerasiforme, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, Lycopersiconcheesmanii, Lycopersicon parviflorum, Lycopersicon chmielewskii,Lycopersicon pennellii, Lycopersicon peruvianum, Lycopersicon chilenseand Solanum lycopersicoides.

The molecular markers identified as being associated with one or moreregions on chromosome 10 that are linked to one or more genes thatencode for Botrytis resistance can be used to introgress one or moregenes that encode for Botrytis resistance from a first donor plant intoa recipient plant. By way of example, and not of limitation, RFLPscreening techniques can be used in said introgression. Tomato plantsdeveloped according to the present invention can advantageously derive amajority of their traits from a recipient plant, and derive Botrytisresistance from the first donor plant.

According to one aspect of the present invention, genes that encode forBotrytis resistance are mapped by identifying molecular markers linkedto resistance quantitative trait loci, the mapping utilizing a mix ofresistant and susceptible to Botrytis inbred tomato plants forphenotypic scoring. Molecular characterization of such lines can beconducted using the techniques described by Monforte and Tanksley inGenome, 43:803-813 (2000).

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the present inventionrelates to methods for producing superior new Botrytis resistant tomatoplants. In the method of the present invention, one or more genesencoding for Botrytis resistance are introgressed from a donor parentalplant that is resistant to Botrytis into a recipient plant that iseither non-resistant or a plant that has intermediate levels ofresistance to infection by Botrytis. The Botrytis resistant tomatoplants produced according to the methods of the present invention can beeither inbred, hybrid, haploid, apomictic or genetically engineeredtomato plants.

The introgression of one or more genes encoding for Botrytis resistanceinto a recipient tomato plant that is non-resistant or possessesintermediate levels of resistance to Botrytis can be accomplished usingtechniques known in the art. For example, one or more genes encoding forBotrytis resistance can be introgressed into a recipient tomato plantthat is non-resistant or a plant that has intermediate levels ofresistance to Botrytis using traditional breeding techniques, geneticengineering or protoplast fusion.

As discussed briefly above, traditional breeding techniques can be usedto introgress one or more genes encoding for Botrytis resistance into arecipient tomato plant that is non-resistant or has an intermediatelevel of resistance to Botrytis. In one method, which is referred to aspedigree breeding, a first tomato plant that exhibits resistance toBotrytis and contains one or more genes encoding for Botrytis resistanceis crossed with a second tomato plant that is non-resistant to Botrytisor possesses intermediate levels of resistance to Botrytis and thatexhibits commercially desirable characteristics, such as, but notlimited to, disease resistance, insect resistance, valuable fruitcharacteristics, etc. The resulting plant population (that are F1hybrids) is then allowed to self-pollinate and set seeds (F2 seeds). TheF2 plants grown from the F2 seeds are then screened for resistance toBotrytis. The population can be screened in a number of different ways.First, the population can be screened using a traditional pathologydisease screen. Such pathology disease screens are known in the art.Specifically, the individual plants or parts thereof can be challengedin an incubator or greenhouse with Botrytis and the resulting resistantor susceptible phenotypes of each plant scored. By way of example, andnot of limitation, plants can be screened in a greenhouse as follows.

First, tomato seeds are planted and grown to seedlings (approximate time˜6 weeks) in the greenhouse (hereinafter “GH”). Three (3) repetitions often (10) plants each for a total of thirty (30) plants per line areevaluated. The leaves, stems, flowers and fruits can be rated separatelyusing a disease rating scale of 1-5 (1=resistant and 5=susceptible). Theplants are inoculated with a conidial suspension (1,000,000 conidia/ml)of Botrytis 10 weeks after planting. A second inoculation may berequired to enhance the disease development on the stems and fruit.

The leaves can be evaluated for Botrytis sporulation and lesiondevelopment one week after inoculation using the following diseaserating scale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Necrosis and sporulation present on 1-2 leaves.

3—Necrosis and sporulation present on 10% of the foliage.

4—Necrosis and sporulation present on 20% of the foliage.

5—Necrosis and sporulation present on greater than 20% of the foliage.

The stems can be evaluated for Botrytis sporulation and lesiondevelopment 4 weeks after inoculation using the following disease ratingscale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Limited superficial lesions on the stem.

3—Lesion expanding to 10 mm diameter with limited sporulation.

4—Lesions expanding to 40 mm diameter, depressed with sporulation.

5—Lesions expanding to greater than 40 mm diameter, depressed withsporulation or stems completely girdled.

The flowers can be evaluated for Botrytis cinerea disease developmentand sporulation when at least 3 flower clusters had developed using thefollowing disease rating scale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on less than 50% of theflowers in one cluster.

3—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on less than 50% of theflowers in two or more clusters.

4—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on 50% to 75% of theflowers in two or more clusters.

5—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on greater than 75% ofthe flowers in all clusters.

The fruit can be evaluated for Botrytis lesion development when 50% ofthe fruit are at the break stage of development using the followingdisease rating scale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Lesions on the peduncle only.

3—Lesions developing on one fruit only.

4—Lesions developing on up to 4 fruit per plant.

5—Lesions developing on more than 4 fruit per plant.

Second, marker-assisted selection can be performed using one or more ofthe hereinbefore described molecular markers to identify those hybridplants that contain one or more of the genes that encode for Botrytisresistance. Alternatively, marker-assisted selection can be used toconfirm the results obtained from the pathology screen.

F2 hybrid plants exhibiting a Botrytis resistant phenotype contain therequisite genes encoding for Botrytis resistance, and possesscommercially desirable characteristics, are then selected and selfed fora number of generations in order to allow for the tomato plant to becomeincreasingly inbred. This process of continued selfing and selection canbe performed for five or more generations. The result of such breedingand selection is the production of lines that are genetically homogenousfor the genes associated with Botrytis resistance as well as other genesassociated with traits of commercial interest.

Alternatively, a new and superior Botrytis resistant inbred tomato plantline can be developed using the techniques of recurrent selection andbackcrossing. In this method, Botrytis resistance can be introgressedinto a target recipient plant (which is called the recurrent parent) bycrossing the recurrent parent with a first donor plant (which isdifferent from the recurrent parent and referred to herein as the“non-recurrent parent”). The recurrent parent is a plant that isnon-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance to Botrytis andpossesses commercially desirable characteristics, such as, but notlimited to disease resistance, insect resistance, valuable fruitcharacteristics, etc. The non-recurrent parent exhibits Botrytisresistance and contains one or more genes that encode for Botrytisresistance. The non-recurrent parent can be any plant variety or inbredline that is cross-fertile with the recurrent parent. The progenyresulting from a cross between the recurrent parent and non-recurrentparent are backcrossed to the recurrent parent. The resulting plantpopulation is then screened. The population can be screened in a numberof different ways. First, the population can be screened using atraditional pathology screen as described previously herein.

Second, marker-assisted selection can be performed using one or more ofthe hereinbefore described molecular markers to identify those progenythat contain one or more of genes encoding for Botrytis resistance.Alternatively, marker-assisted selection can be used to confirm theresults obtained from the pathology screen.

Once the appropriate selections are made, the process is repeated. Theprocess of backcrossing to the recurrent parent and selecting forBotrytis resistance is repeated for approximately five or moregenerations. The progeny resulting from this process are heterozygousfor one or more genes that encode for Botrytis resistance. The lastbackcross generation is then selfed in order to provide for homozygouspure breeding progeny for Botrytis resistance.

The Botrytis resistant inbred tomato lines described herein can be usedin additional crossings to create Botrytis resistant hybrid plants. Forexample, a first Botrytis resistant inbred tomato plant can be crossedwith a second inbred tomato plant possessing commercially desirabletraits such as, but not limited to, disease resistance, insectresistance, desirable fruit characteristics, etc. This second inbredtomato line may or may not be resistant to Botrytis.

The marker-assisted selection used in the hereinbefore described methodscan be made, for example, step-wise, whereby the different Botrytisresistant genes are selected in more than one generation; or, as analternative example, simultaneously, whereby all resistance genes areselected in the same generation. Marker-assisted selection for Botrytisresistance may be done before, in conjunction with, or after testing andselection for other commercially desirable traits such as diseaseresistance, insect resistance, desirable fruit characteristics, etc.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to theidentification, isolation and purification of one or more genes fromtomato that encodes for Botrytis resistance. A source of material fromwhich such gene(s) can be isolated from is Lycopersicon hirsutumaccession LA 1777. Additionally, the present invention furthercontemplates the insertion of such isolated and purified genes eitherinto tomato or other plants using techniques known in the art in orderto provide transgenic plants that exhibit resistance to Botrytisinfection.

Plant transformation involves the construction of an expression vectorthat will function in plant cells. In the present invention, such avector comprises DNA comprising a gene that encodes for Botrytisresistance that is under control of or operatively linked to aregulatory element, such as a promoter. The expression vector maycontain one or more such operably linked gene/regulatory elementcombinations, provided that at least one of the genes contained in saidcombinations encodes for Botrytis resistance. The vector(s) may be inthe form of a plasmid, and can be used, alone or in combination withother plasmids, to provide transgenic plants that are resistant toBotrytis, using transformation methods described below.

Expression vectors can include at least one genetic marker, operablylinked to a regulatory element (such as a promoter) that allowstransformed cells containing the marker to be either recovered bynegative selection (by inhibiting the growth of cells that do notcontain the selectable marker gene), or by positive selection (byscreening for the product encoded by the genetic marker). Many commonlyused selectable marker genes for plant transformation are known in theart, and include, for example, genes that code for enzymes thatmetabolically detoxify a selective chemical agent which may be anantibiotic or a herbicide, or genes that encode an altered target whichis insensitive to the inhibitor. Several positive selection methods areknown in the art, such as mannose selection. Alternatively, markerlesstransformation can be used, the techniques for which are known in theart.

An example of a commonly used selectable marker gene for planttransformation is the neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) gene,isolated from transposon Tn5, which when placed under the control of aplant regulatory signal confers resistance to kanamycin (See, Fraley etal., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A, 80:4803 (1983)). Another commonlyused selectable marker gene is the hygromycin phosphotransferase genethat confers resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin (See, Vanden Elzenet al., Plant Mol. Biol., 5:299 (1985)). Examples of other selectablemarkers that can be used include beta-glucuronidase (GUS),beta-galactosidase, luciferase and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase.

Expression vectors must be driven by a nucleotide sequence comprising aregulatory element, such as a promoter. Several types of promoters arewell known in the art, as are other regulatory elements that can be usedalone or in combination with promoters. As used herein “promoter”includes reference to a region of DNA upstream from the start oftranscription and involved in recognition and binding of RNA polymeraseand other proteins to initiate transcription. A “plant promoter” is apromoter capable of initiating transcription in plant cells. Examples ofpromoters under developmental control include promoters thatpreferentially initiate transcription in certain tissues, such asleaves, roots, seeds, fibers, xylem vessels, tracheids, or sclerenchyma.Such promoters are referred to as “tissue-preferred”. Promoters thatinitiate transcription only in certain tissues are referred to as“tissue-specific”. A “cell type” specific promoter primarily drivesexpression in certain cell types in one or more organs, for example,vascular cells in roots or leaves. An “inducible” promoter is a promoterthat is under environmental control. Examples of environmentalconditions that may effect transcription by inducible promoters includeanaerobic conditions or the presence of light. Tissue-specific,tissue-preferred, cell type specific, and inducible promoters constitutethe class of “non-constitutive” promoters. A “constitutive” promoter isa promoter that is active under most environmental conditions.

An inducible promoter is operably linked to an isolated and purifiedgene that encodes for Botrytis resistance for expression in tomato. Withan inducible promoter, the rate of transcription increases in responseto an inducing agent. Any inducible promoter can be used in the presentinvention.

A constitutive promoter can be operably linked to an isolated andpurified gene that encodes for Botrytis resistance for expression intomato. Several different constitutive promoters are known in the artand can be used in the present invention. An example of a constitutivepromoter that can be used in the present invention includes, but is notlimited to, promoters from plant viruses such as the 19S or 35S promoterfrom CaMV (See, Odell et al., Nature, 313:810-812 (1985)).

A tissue-specific promoter is operably linked to an isolated andpurified gene that encodes for Botrytis resistance for expression intomato. Plants transformed with an isolated and purified gene thatencodes for Botrytis resistance operably linked to a tissue-specificpromoter produce the protein product of the transgene exclusively, orpreferentially, in a specific tissue.

Any tissue-specific or tissue-preferred promoter can be utilized in theinstant invention. Exemplary tissue-specific or tissue-preferredpromoters include, but are not limited to, a leaf-specific andlight-induced promoter such as that from cab or rubisco (See, Simpson etal., EMBO J., 4(11):2723-2729 (1985) and Timko et al., Nature, 318:579-582 (1985)).

Numerous methods for plant transformation have been developed, includingbiological and physical, plant transformation protocols. See, forexample, Miki et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA intoPlants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick,B. R. and Thmpson, J. E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, 1993) pages67-88. In addition, expression vectors and in vitro culture methods forplant cell or tissue transformation and regeneration of plants areavailable (See, Gruber et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation” inMethods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick, B. R. andThompson, J. E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages 89-119)).

One method for introducing an expression vector into a plant is based onthe natural transformation system of Agrobacterium (See, Horsch et al.,Science, 227:1229 (1985)). A. tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes are plantpathogenic soil bacteria that genetically transform plant cells. The Tiand Ri plasmids of A. tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes, respectively, carrygenes responsible for genetic transformation of the plant (See, Kado, C.I., Crit. Rev. Plant. Sci., 10:1 (1991)). Descriptions of Agrobacteriumvector systems and methods for Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer areprovided by Gruber et al., supra, Miki et al., supra, and Moloney etal., Plant Cell Reports 8:238 (1989). See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,616,issued Jan. 7, 1997.

Another method for introducing an expression vector into a plant isbased on microprojectile-mediated transformation wherein DNA is carriedon the surface of microprojectiles. The expression vector is introducedinto plant tissues with a biolistic device that accelerates themicroprojectiles to speeds of 300 to 600 m/s which is sufficient topenetrate plant cell walls and membranes (See, Sanford et al., Part.Sci. Technol. 5: 27 (1987), Sanford, J. C., Trends Biotech., 6:299(1988), Klein et al., Bio/Technology, 6:559-563 (1988). Sanford J. C.,Physiol Plant, 79:206 (1990), Klein et al., Biotechnology, 10:268(1992)).

Another method for introducing DNA to plants is via the sonication oftarget cells (See, Zhang et al., Bio/Technology, 9:996 (1991)).Alternatively, liposome or spheroplast fusion have been used tointroduce expression vectors into plants (See, Deshayes et al., EMBO J.,4:2731 (1985), Christou et al., Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A, 84:3962(1987)). Direct uptake of DNA into protoplasts using CaCl₂precipitation, polyvinyl alcohol or poly-L-ornithine have also beenreported (See, Hain et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 199:161 (1985) and Draperet al., Plant Cell Physiol., 23: 451 (1982)). Electroporation ofprotoplasts and whole cells and tissues have also been described (Donnet al., In Abstracts of VIIth International Congress on Plant Cell andTissue Culture IAPTC, A2-38, p 53 (1990); D'Halluin et al., Plant cell,4:1495-1505 (1992) and Spencer et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 24:51-61(1994)).

Following transformation of tomato target tissues, expression of theabove-described selectable marker genes allows for preferentialselection of transformed cells, tissues and/or plants, usingregeneration and selection methods now well known in the art.

The foregoing methods for transformation could be used for producingtransgenic tomato plants or other plant species, such as, but notlimited to, vegetables (i.e. asparagus, lettuce, etc.) fruit (i.e.strawberries), or ornamental plants (i.e, African Violet, Begonias,Bougainvillea, Cyclamen, Dahlia, Geranium, Chinese Hibiscus, Impatiens,Kalanchoe, Ornamental Pepper, Persian Violet, Primrose, Poinsettia,Verbena, Vinca, etc.) that contain a foreign (heterologous) gene(s) thatencodes for Botrytis resistance. Such transgenic plants can then becrossed, with another (non-transformed or transformed) plants, in orderto produce a transgenic hybrid of tomato or other plant species that isresistant to Botrytis infection. Alternatively, the foreign(heterologous) genes for Botrytis resistance in a transgenic tomato orother plant species that has been engineered to contain said foreign(heterologous) gene(s) that encodes for Botrytis resistance using thetransformation techniques described herein could be moved into anotherplant using traditional breeding techniques (such as backcrossing), thatare well-known in the art. For example, and as previously discussedherein, backcrossing could be used to introgress Botrytis resistancefrom a transgenic Botrytis resistant inbred tomato or other plant linecontaining a foreign (heterologous) gene that encodes for Botrytisresistance to a non-resistant tomato plant or other crop that does notcontain that gene, or from a transgenic hybrid Botrytis resistant tomatoplant or other plant containing a foreign gene that encodes for Botrytisresistance into a line(s) that does not contain that gene.

In another embodiment, protoplast fusion can be used to create superiornew Botrytis resistant plants. More specifically, a first protoplast canbe obtained from a tomato plant or other plant line that exhibitsresistance to infection by Botrytis and contains the genes describedherein. For example, a protoplast from Lycopersicon hirsutum accessionLA1777 can be used. A second protoplast can be obtained from a secondtomato or other plant variety that contains commercially desirablecharacteristics, such as, but not limited to disease resistance, insectresistance, valuable fruit characteristics, etc. The protoplasts arethen fused using traditional protoplast fusion procedures which areknown in the art. For example, the protoplast fusion can be accomplishedby employing a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution to facilitate thefusion of the membranes. Such somatic hybridization may be effectedunder the conditions disclosed by Sundberg et al. (Plant Science, 43:155(1986), for the production of interspecific hybrids or modificationsthereof. However, one skilled in the art would recognize that theprotoplast fusion can be accomplished in other ways other than usingpolyethylene glycol (PEG). For example, the protoplasts can be fused byusing electric field-induced fusion techniques as described by Koop etal., “Electric Field-Induced Fusion and Cell Reconstruction-withPreselected Single Protoplasts and Subprotoplasts of Higher Plants” inElectroporation and Electrofusion in Cell Biology, Neuman et al.,editors, pgs. 355-265 (1989). Additionally, protoplast fusion can beaccomplished with dextran and polyvinyl alcohol as described byHauptmann et al., “Carrot×Tobacco Somatic Cell Hybrids Selected by AminoAcid Analog Resistance Complementation”, 6^(th) International ProtoplastSymposium, Basel, Switzerland, Aug. 12-16, 1983.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods fordetermining the presence or absence of Botrytis resistance in a tomatoplant, or alternatively in a tomato seed. These methods compriseanalyzing DNA from a plant or a seed for the presence of one or moremolecular markers that are associated with at least one region on achromosome that is linked to at least one gene that encodes for Botrytisresistance. More specifically, the molecular markers are preferably fromchromosome 10 and are used to identify one or more regions on chromosome10 that are linked to at least one gene that encodes for Botrytisresistance. An example of such markers include, but are not limited toat least one of the following: TG408, CT20, CT57 and TG241 on chromosome10. According to this method, the analyzing comprises analyzing thetomato plants or seed by RFLP analysis.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to seed, a plantand/or a plant line which is produced pursuant to the hereinbeforedescribed methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to aBotrytis resistant tomato plant, or alternatively a plant line, such as,but not limited to vegetables (i.e. asparagus, lettuce, etc.) fruit(i.e.strawberries), or ornamental plants (i.e, African Violet, Begonias,Bougainvillea, Cyclamen, Dahlia, Geranium, Chinese Hibiscus, Impatiens,Kalanchoe, Ornamental Pepper, Persian Violet, Primrose, Poinsettia,Verbena, Vinca, etc.) derived from selective breeding, which comprisesfirst genomic DNA from a first plant line, the first genomic DNAconferring Botrytis resistance to the plant line; and second genomic DNAfrom a second plant line, the second genomic DNA conferring otherdesired traits to the plant line. According to this aspect of theinvention, in tomato, the first amount of genomic DNA comprisesmolecular markers from chromosome 10 that are associated with at leastone region on chromosome 10 that is linked to at least one gene thatencodes for Botrytis resistance. More specifically, in tomato, themolecular markers, including at least one, but are not limited to,TG408, CT20, CT57 and TG241 on chromosome 10.

By way of example, and not of limitation, Examples of the presentinvention will now be given.

Example 1 Resistance to Botrytis in Lycopersicon Hirsutum×L. EsculentumBackcross Recombinant Inbred Lines

Seeds of the following Lycopersicon hirsutum×L. esculentum backcrossrecombinant inbred lines (hereinafter “RIL”) were sent to Latina, Italyfor resistance evaluation under greenhouse conditions in the year 2000.Seeds were planted into soil in transplant trays and grown in thegreenhouse between 20° C. and 24° C. for approximately 6 weeks.Specifically, the seeds were from the following lines: LA1777, TA1551,TA1330, TA1276, TA1105, TA1277, TA1541, TA1324, TA517, TA1266, TA1544,TA1316, TA1539, TA1121, TA1112, TA1545, TA1562, TA1258, TA1304, TA1280,TA1548, TA1127, TA1535, TA1540 and E6203. All the lines are publiclyavailable from the C.M. Rick Tomato Genetics Resource Center, Departmentof Vegetable Crops, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis,Calif. 95616. These lines have been described by Monforte and Tanksleyin Genome, 43:803-813 (2000).

Seedlings were transplanted to the greenhouse (hereinafter “GH”)approximately 6 weeks after planting. Three repetitions of 10 plantseach for a total of 30 plants per line were evaluated. The leaves andstems were rated separately using a disease rating scale of 1-5(1=resistant and 5=susceptible).

The plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension (1,000,000conidia/ml) of Botrytis cinerea 4 weeks after transplanting. A secondinoculation was made five weeks after the first inoculation to enhancethe disease development on the stems.

The leaves were evaluated for Botrytis cinerea sporulation and lesiondevelopment one week after inoculation using the following diseaserating scale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Necrosis and sporulation present on 1-2 leaves.

3—Necrosis and sporulation present on 10% of the foliage.

4—Necrosis and sporulation present on 20% of the foliage.

5—Necrosis and sporulation present on greater than 20% of the foliage.

The stems were evaluated for Botrytis cinerea sporulation and lesiondevelopment 4 weeks after inoculation using the following disease ratingscale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Limited superficial lesions on the stem.

3—Lesion expanding to 10 mm diameter with limited sporulation.

4—Lesions expanding to 40 mm diameter, depressed with sporulation.

5—Lesions expanding to greater than 40 mm diameter, depressed withsporulation or stems completely girdled.

Tables 1 and 2 below show the disease ratings of the leaves and stemsfrom Lycopersicon esculentum backcross recombinant inbred linescontaining various introgression fragments from L. hirsutum againstinfection from Botrytis cinerea.

TABLE 1 Average leaf disease rating of LA 1777 introgression linesscreened for resistance to the fungal disease gray mold under greenhouseconditions in June 2000. RIL¹ Avg Leaf Rating² N³ p value⁴ TA1551 2.8 300.065 TA1330 3.4 30 0.120 TA1105 3.5 30 0.170 TA1544 3.6 28 0.093 TA13163.6 27 0.480 TA1539 3.6 26 0.090 TA1277 3.6 30 0.396 TA1121 3.8 20 0.632TA1112 3.8 30 0.439 TA1545 4.0 27 0.955 TA1562 4.1 29 0.806 TA1258 4.130 0.855 TA1304 4.1 26 0.824 TA1541 4.1 30 0.657 TA1324 4.1 30 0.686TA1280 4.1 22 0.553 TA1548 4.2 30 0.521 TA1127 4.2 30 0.486 TA1535 4.221 0.270 TA517 4.3 29 0.543 TA1276 4.4 29 0.241 TA1266 4.5 29 0.287TA1540 5.0 16 0.009 LA1777⁵ na 30 na E6203 4.1 35 ¹ Lycopersiconhirsutum (LA 1777) RIL in L. esculentum (E6203). ²Average disease ratingof RIL stems (1 = resistant; 5 = susceptible). ³Number of plantsevaluated. ⁴RIL is significantly different from E6203 if p is less than0.05. ⁵Leaves were not rated due to natural senescence of the olderleaves in L. hirsutum at the time disease ratings were taken.

TABLE 2 Average stem disease rating of LA 1777 introgression linesscreened for resistance to the fungal disease gray mold under greenhouseconditions in June 2000. RIL¹ Avg Stem rating² N³ p value⁴ LA1777 1.0030 0.003 TA1551 1.80 30 0.009 TA1276 2.27 30 0.175 TA1105 2.43 30 0.160TA1277 2.63 30 0.277 TA1541 2.70 30 0.063 TA1548 2.70 30 0.063 TA11122.80 30 0.560 TA1324 2.83 30 0.338 TA517 3.03 29 0.616 TA1127 3.20 300.549 TA1544 3.21 28 0.177 TA1304 3.22 27 0.181 TA1330 3.29 28 0.383TA1266 3.29 28 0.728 TA1562 3.31 29 0.904 TA1539 3.37 30 0.934 TA15353.40 20 0.440 TA1280 3.48 23 0.920 TA1540 3.56 16 0.585 TA1258 3.57 300.765 TA1316 3.59 27 0.449 TA1121 3.65 20 0.761 TA1545 3.79 28 0.005E6203 3.37 35 ¹ Lycopersicon hirsutum (LA 1777) RIL in L. esculentum(E6203). ²Average disease rating of RIL stems (1 = resistant; 5 =susceptible). ³Number of plants evaluated. ⁴RIL is significantlydifferent from E6203 if p is less than 0.05.

The level of resistance observed in line TA1551 for the stem rating(p=0.009) demonstrate that it is significantly more resistant than itsparent line E6203. In addition, the level of resistance observed in theleaf rating, although not significant at p=0.05, is greater than thatobserved in the parent line E6203. (see Tables 1 and 2).

Line TA1551 contains an introgression segment from chromosome 10 of L.hirsutum as described by Monforte and Tanksley in Genome, 43:803-813(2000) (see FIG. 1).

Example 2 Resistance to Botrytis in Lycopersicon hirsutum×L. esculentumBackcross Recombinant Inbred Lines

To further evaluate the resistance observed in line TA1551 in thegreenhouse screen in 2000 (see example 1) seeds of the followingLycopersicon hirsutum×L. esculentum backcross recombinant inbred lineswere sent to Latina, Italy for resistance evaluation under greenhouseconditions in 2001. Seeds were planted into soil in transplant trays andgrown in the greenhouse between 20° C. and 24° C. for approximately 6weeks. Specifically, the seeds were from the following lines: LA1777,TA1551, TA1551-F1, TA1339, E6203 and Max. Except for TA1551-F1 and Max,the other lines are publicly available from the C.M. Rick TomatoGenetics Resource Center, Department of Vegetable Crops, University ofCalifornia, One Shields Avenue, Davis, Calif. 95616. The recombinantbackcross inbred lines TA1551 and TA1339 are described by Monforte andTanksley in Genome, 43:803-813 (2000).

Seedlings were transplanted to the greenhouse approximately 6 weeksafter planting. Three repetitions of 10 plants each for a total of 30plants per line were evaluated. The leaves, and stems, flowers andfruits were rated separately using a disease rating scale of 1-5(1=resistant and 5=susceptible).

The plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension (1,000,000conidia/ml) of Botrytis cinerea four (4) weeks after transplanting. Asecond inoculation was made five weeks after the first inoculation toenhance the disease development on the stems and fruit.

The leaves were evaluated for Botrytis cinerea sporulation and lesiondevelopment one week after inoculation using the following diseaserating scale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Necrosis and sporulation present on 1-2 leaves.

3—Necrosis and sporulation present on 10% of the foliage.

4—Necrosis and sporulation present on 20% of the foliage.

5—Necrosis and sporulation present on greater than 20% of the foliage.

The stems were evaluated for Botrytis cinerea sporulation and lesiondevelopment 4 weeks after inoculation using the following disease ratingscale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Limited superficial lesions on the stem.

3—Lesion expanding to 10 mm diameter with limited sporulation.

4—Lesions expanding to 40 mm diameter, depressed with sporulation.

5—Lesions expanding to greater than 40 mm diameter, depressed withsporulation or stems completely girdled.

The flowers were evaluated for Botrytis cinerea disease development andsporulation when at least 3 flower clusters had developed using thefollowing disease rating scale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on less than 50% of theflowers in one cluster.

3—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on less than 50% of theflowers in two or more clusters.

4—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on 50% to 75% of theflowers in two or more clusters.

5—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on greater than 75% ofthe flowers in all clusters.

The fruit were evaluated for Botrytis cinerea lesion development when50% of the fruit were at the break stage of development using thefollowing disease rating scale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Lesions on the peduncle only.

3—Lesions developing on one fruit only.

4—Lesions developing on up to 4 fruit per plant.

5—Lesions developing on more than 4 fruit per plant.

Table 3 below shows the disease ratings of the leaves, stems, flowersand fruit from Lycopersicon esculentum backcross recombinant inbredlines containing an introgression fragment from L. hirsutum againstinfection from Botrytis cinerea.

TABLE 3 Average leaf, stem, flower and fruit disease score of tomatolines screened for resistance to the fungal disease gray mold undergreenhouse conditions in June 2001. Average Average Average Average LeafStem² Flower Fruit Line N¹ rating² p-Value³ rating p-Value³ ratingp-Value³ Rating² p-Value³ LA1777 30 NA⁴ na 1.0 0.00 1.0 0.01 1.0 0.01TA1551 25 2.2 0.01 1.0 0.00 1.0 0.01 1.0 0.01 TA1551 Fl 15 2.4 0.08 1.80.38 1.1 0.02 1.0 0.04 TA1339 30 3.0 0.07 2.1 0.06 1.8 0.13 2.5 0.01 MAX21 5.0 0.01 3.0 0.48 1.9 0.41 3.8 0.02 E6203 29 3.5 2.7 2.1 2.0 ¹Numberof plants evaluated. ²Average disease rating for leaf, stem, flower andfruit (1 = resistant; 5 = susceptible). ³Lines have significantly lessdisease compared to E6203 if p is less than 0.05. ⁴Leaves were not rateddue to natural senescence of the older leaves in L. hirsutum at the timedisease ratings were taken.

The levels of resistance observed for line TA1551 for the leaves(p=0.01), stem (p=0.00), flower (p=0.01) and fruit (p=0.01) demonstratethat it is significantly more resistant than its parent line E6203 (seeTable 3).

In addition, line TA1339 showed no significant difference at p=0.05 indisease development as compared to the susceptible E6203 for the averageleaf (p=0.07), stem (p=0.06) and flower (p=0.13) score. Also, it showedsignificantly more disease development on the fruit than the susceptiblecheck E6203, indicating that it does not contribute to diseaseresistance.

Line TA1551 and TA1339 contain introgression segments from chromosome 10of L. hirsutum as described by Monforte and Tanksley in Genome,43:803-813 (2000) (see FIG. 1).

Example 3 Resistance to Botrytis in Lycopersicon Hirsutum×L. EsculentumBackcross Recombinant Inbred Lines

To obtain a more detailed understanding of the region on chromosome 10that is responsible for resistance, additional Lycopersicon hirsutum×L.esculentum backcross recombinant inbred lines containing chromosome 10introgressions were evaluated along with lines that did not containchromosome 10 introgressions in the greenhouse screen at Latina Italy in2002. Seeds of the following Lycopersicon hirsutum×L. esculentum RIL'swere sent to Latina, Italy for resistance evaluation under greenhouseconditions. Seeds were planted into soil in transplant trays and grownin the greenhouse between 20° C. and 24° C. for approximately 6 weeks.Specifically, the seeds were from the following lines: TA1331, TA1337,TA1339, TA1546, TA1549, TA1551, TA1552, TA1555, TA1559, TA1564, TA1630,TA1654, LA1777, and E6203. These lines are publicly available from theC.M. Rick Tomato Genetics Resource Center, Department of VegetableCrops, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, Calif.95616. The recombinant backcross inbred lines are described by Monforteand Tanksley in Genome, 43:803-813 (2000).

Seedlings were transplanted to the greenhouse approximately 6 weeksafter planting. Three repetitions of approximately 20 plants each for atotal of 60 plants per line were evaluated. The leaves, stems, andflowers were rated separately using a disease rating scale of 1-5(1=resistant and 5=susceptible).

The plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension (1,000,000conidia/ml) of Botrytis cinerea four (4) weeks after transplanting. Asecond inoculation was made five weeks after the first inoculation toenhance the disease development on the stems.

The leaves were evaluated for Botrytis cinerea sporulation and lesiondevelopment one week after inoculation using the following diseaserating scale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Necrosis and sporulation present on 1-2 leaves.

3—Necrosis and sporulation present on 10% of the foliage.

4—Necrosis and sporulation present on 20% of the foliage.

5—Necrosis and sporulation present on greater than 20% of the foliage.

The stems were evaluated for Botrytis cinerea sporulation and lesiondevelopment 4 weeks after inoculation using the following disease ratingscale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Limited superficial lesions on the stem.

3—Lesion expanding to 10 mm diameter with limited sporulation.

4—Lesions expanding to 40 mm diameter, depressed with sporulation.

5—Lesions expanding to greater than 40 mm diameter, depressed withsporulation or stems completely girdled.

The flowers were evaluated for Botrytis cinerea disease development andsporulation when at least 3 flower clusters had developed using thefollowing disease rating scale (1=resistant and 5=susceptible):

1—No symptoms.

2—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on less than 50% of theflowers in one cluster.

3—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on less than 50% of theflowers in two or more clusters.

4—Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on 50% to 75% of theflowers in two or more clusters.

5-Flower abscission, necrosis and or sporulation on greater than 75% ofthe flowers in all clusters.

Table 4 below shows the disease ratings of the leaves, stems, andflowers from Lycopersicon esculentum backcross recombinant inbred linescontaining an introgression fragment from L. hirsutum against infectionfrom Botrytis cinerea.

TABLE 4 Average leaf, stem, and flower disease score of tomato linesscreened for resistance to the fungal disease gray mold under greenhouseconditions in June 2002. Avg Stem Avg Flower Line N¹ Avg Leaf rating² pvalue³ rating² p value³ rating² p value³ LA1777 21 1.42 0.053 1.00 0.0091.00 0.020 TA1551 42 1.48 0.006 1.25 0.002 1.29 0.038 TA1549 56 1.210.003 1.34 0.016 1.05 0.024 TA1552 60 2.33 0.107 2.17 0.190 2.55 0.075TA1559 60 2.25 0.236 2.52 0.409 2.62 0.215 TA1564 59 2.93 0.835 2.560.134 3.12 0.350 TA1546 58 2.69 0.098 2.72 0.665 2.55 0.064 TA1337 592.68 0.160 2.75 0.323 2.20 0.174 TA1339 55 2.71 0.085 2.75 0.406 3.620.671 TA1331 60 2.80 0.513 2.83 0.553 2.77 0.145 TA1555 58 2.76 0.3222.85 0.604 2.57 0.244 TA1630 58 2.97 0.878 2.88 0.816 3.57 0.559 TA165459 2.92 0.826 2.90 0.942 3.34 0.491 E6203 59 3.02 2.95 3.73 ¹Number ofplants evaluated. ²Average disease rating for leaf, stem, flower andfruit (1 = resistant; 5 = susceptible). ³Lines have significantly lessdisease compared to E6203 if p is less than 0.05.

The levels of resistance observed based on the disease ratings for lineTA1551 for the leaves (p=0.006), stem (p=0.002), and flower (p=0.038)demonstrate that it is significantly more resistant than its parent lineE6203 (see Table 4).

In addition, the levels of resistance observed based on the diseaseratings for line TA1549 for the leaves (p=0.003), stem (p=0.016), andflower (p=0.024) demonstrate that it is significantly more resistantthan its parent line E6203 (see Table 4).

Lines TA1551 and TA1549 contain introgression segments from chromosome10 of L. hirsutum as described by Monforte and Tanksley in Genome,43:803-813 (2000) (see FIG. 1).

Additional marker analysis of RIL TA1551 revealed that the introgressionsegment from LA1777 was heterozygous in the region containing markersTG313 and CT234. In addition, a double crossover was detected whichresulted in a homozygotic L. esculentum genotype in the regioncontaining marker CD45. Further, the region of TA1551 containing markersTG408, CT20, CT57 and TG241 was found to be homozygous for L. hirsutum(see FIG. 2). Detailed marker analysis for RIL TA1549 revealed that theintrogression segment from LA 1777 was homozygous in the regioncontaining markers TG408, CT20, CD34, TG241, CT95, TG63 and TG233 (seeFIG. 2).

TA1551 and TA1549 are both resistant to Botrytis and both lines containintrogression segments from L. hirsutum on chromosome 10. This indicatesthat resistance to Botrytis is located in the overlap region of theintrogression lines TA1551 and TA1549 (see FIG. 2). Specifically,resistance to Botrytis is located between molecular markers defining theupper end of the homozygotic L. hirsutum introgression segment in TA1551 in the region of marker CT66 and markers defining the lower end ofthe introgression segment in TA 1551 in the region of the marker CT95.

All abstracts, references, patents and published patent applicationsreferred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention is illustrated by way of the foregoing descriptionand examples. The foregoing description is intended as a non-limitingillustration, since many variations will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art in view thereof.

Changes can be made to the composition, operation and arrangement of themethod of the present invention described herein without departing fromthe concept and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of producing a Botrytis resistantLycopersicon esculentum tomato plant, said method comprising the stepsof: a. identifying a Botrytis resistant donor plant comprising aBotrytis resistance region; b. crossing the Botrytis resistant donorplant from step a with a recipient Lycopersicon esculentum tomato plantthat is non-resistant or has an intermediate level of resistance toBotrytis; c. obtaining genetic material from a progeny of said cross;and d. performing molecular marker-assisted selection of said progeny toidentify a Lycopersicon hirsutum molecular marker from said Botrytisresistance region, wherein said Botrytis resistance region has an upperend in the region of marker CT66 and a lower end in the region of markerCT95.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said Botrytis resistance is aresistance selected from the group consisting of: stem resistance, leafresistance, flower resistance and fruit resistance.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said Lycopersicon hirsutum molecular marker from saidBotrytis resistance region is selected from the group consisting ofTG408, TG285, CT260C, CT112B, CT203, CT42, h, PGAL, TG420, CD34B, CT20,and combinations thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprisingperforming a second molecular marker-assisted selection, wherein saidsecond molecular marker-assisted selection identifies an L. esculentummolecular marker from an upper region having a lower end in the regionof CT66.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said L. esculentum molecularmarker from said upper region having a lower end in the region of CT66is selected from the group consisting of: CT113C, TG271, TG230, TG313,hy, TG399A, CT105B, CT41, TG122, CAB7, TG395, nor, CT16, CD77, TG303,CD56, CT125, CT60, TG540, CABS, u, TG566, PTC1, CT234, TG596, TG148,CD38A, TG12, CD45, TG11, TG560, CT91A, TG52, TG545, TG43, CT66, andcombinations thereof.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingperforming another molecular marker-assisted selection, wherein saidanother molecular marker-assisted selection identifies an L. esculentummolecular marker selected from a lower region having an upper end in theregion of CT95.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said lower regionhaving an upper end in the region of CT95 comprises a molecular markerselected from the group consisting of: CT95, TG663, HTS1C, TG63, TG206A,CT238, CT240, CD5, TG233, CD32B, and combinations thereof.
 8. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: e. backcrossing the selected progeny ofstep d to a recurrent Lycopersicon esculentum parent; and f. performingrecurrent selection of a progeny from said backcross to identify aLycopersicon hirsutum molecular marker from said Botrytis resistanceregion.
 9. A method of identifying a Botrytis resistant Lycopersiconesculentum tomato plant by molecular marker-assisted selection, themethod comprising: a. obtaining genetic material from a Lycopersiconesculentum tomato plant; b. identifying in said genetic material aLycopersicon hirsutum molecular marker from a Botrytis resistance regionhaving an upper end in the region of marker CT66 and a lower end in theregion of marker CT95; and c. selecting a Botrytis resistantLycopersicon esculentum tomato plant which comprises said Botrytisresistance region or which is homozygous for said Lycopersicon hirsutummolecular marker.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said Lycopersiconhirsutum molecular marker associated with a Botrytis resistance regionis selected from the group consisting of: TG408, TG285, CT260C, CT112B,CT203, CT42, h, PGAL, TG420, CD34B, CT20, and combinations thereof. 11.The method of claim 9, further comprising performing a second molecularmarker-assisted selection, wherein said second molecular marker-assistedselection identifies in said genetic material an L. esculentum molecularmarker from an upper region having a lower end in the region of CT66.12. The method of claim 9, further comprising performing anothermolecular marker-assisted selection, wherein said another molecularmarker-assisted selection identifies in said genetic material an L.esculentum molecular marker from a lower region having an upper end inthe region of CT95.
 13. A method of screening tomato plants forresistance to Botrytis, the method comprising: a. obtaining geneticmaterial from a Lycopersicon esculentum tomato plant; and b. selecting aBotrytis resistant Lycopersicon esculentum tomato plant by performingmolecular marker-assisted selection of said Lycopersicon esculentumplant with a Lycopersicon hirsutum molecular marker from a Botrytisresistance region having an upper end in the region of marker CT66 and alower end in the region of marker CT95; wherein said Botrytis resistantLycopersicon esculentum tomato plant comprises said Botrytis resistanceregion or is homozygous for said Lycopersicon hirsutum molecular marker.14. The method of claim 13, further comprising performing a secondmolecular marker-assisted selection, wherein said second molecularmarker-assisted selection identifies in said genetic material an L.esculentum molecular marker from an upper region having a lower end inthe region of CT66.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprisingperforming another molecular marker-assisted selection, wherein saidanother molecular marker-assisted selection identifies in said geneticmaterial an L. esculentum molecular marker selected from a lower regionhaving an upper end in the region of CT95.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein said recipient Lycopersicon esculentum tomato plant furthercomprises a commercially desirable characteristic selected from thegroup consisting of disease resistance and insect resistance.
 17. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising confirming the Botrytis resistanceof said selected Lycopersicon esculentum tomato plant using a pathologydisease screen.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprisingconfirming the Botrytis resistance of said selected Lycopersiconesculentum tomato plant using a pathology disease screen.